Elise Kellond-Knight (second left) of Australia celebrates with her team-mates after she scored the winning goal. Photo: Getty Images

The Matildas will square off with Japan on Sunday, in Ho Chi Minh City, with the aim of becoming the first Australian team to win back-to-back titles in Asia.

It is no easy feat; in fact, the Australians will be rank outsiders to win it again. Japan are the reigning world champions and play some of the most dynamic technical football the women's format has seen.

The Matildas advanced to the decider with a 2-1 victory over South Korea on Thursday night, where Elise Kellond-Knight's untouched free kick joined a stunning strike from Katrina Gorry – her third goal in three games – to send Alen Stajcic's side through. Not even a shocking penalty decision could sway their progress.

''I'm extremely proud of the group,'' Stajcic said. ''They worked so hard, they were disciplined, they attacked well, they were positive the whole game. Even after the penalty, they just got on with it and didn't sit back and wait at 1-1.

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''We wanted to go out and win the game and I said that would be our philosophy: we're going to go out and try to win games rather than sit back and try not to lose.''

Stajcic said they overwhelmed their opponents through the middle of the park and would most likely deploy a similar tactic against Japan.

''We put them under so much pressure in midfield that we just didn't let them play, and that's how we're going to play [against Japan],'' he said. ''If teams are going to beat us, they're going to have to beat us with good skill and they're going to have to be able to play under pressure.''

But whatever happens in the final, it is a remarkable turn of events for the Matildas after the group was so dramatically torn apart under the authoritarian Hesterine de Reus.

Into the brief stepped Stajcic, a veteran coach of women's football in both the domestic and international set-ups. He claimed the day of his appointment ''was the line in the sand'' to end the split.

After hastily arranging two lead-up camps, Stajcic guided the Matildas to a 2-2 draw against Japan in their opening Asian Cup group match, followed by a 3-1 win over Jordan and a 2-0 win over Vietnam.

That booked Australia into second spot, which not only put them into the semi-finals but guaranteed their place at next year's Women’s World Cup in Canada. The subsequent victory over South Korea has seen them come full circle to face the Nadeshikoin the final.

Although considered a young-looking squad before the tournament, many of the big names have starred, with the likes of Caitlin Foord, Lisa De Vanna, Steph Catley and Clare Polkinghorne all shining, with goalkeeper Lydia Williams marshalling a sturdy defence. Special mention must be reserved for the pocket-rocket Gorry, whose two long-range bombs would not look out of place in any international tournament, men's or women's.

That first match against Japan saw the Matildas lead 2-0 before conceding twice in the final 20 minutes – which must fill Stajcic and his girls with tremendous hope if they can keep their guard up on Sunday.

But perhaps that was the Japanese just warming up. They then battered Vietnam 4-0 and were then kept scoreless against Jordan for 25 minutes before hitting seven in the next 44 minutes. Despite a grinding semi-final against China, where extra time was needed, Japan seldom looked stretched.

However, not everyone is writing Australia off, with Sydney FC striker Renee Rollason saying Stajcic – who she believes now must get the job permanently – can lead them to glory.

''Considering all the dynamics around the change in coaching, he's done really well to get the team to play the way he wants them to,'' Rollason told the Football Federation Australia website.

''A lot of the Matildas are very comfortable with him. He's very attacking. And they look a lot more relaxed and are willing to play that attacking brand of football that Staj wants. They could definitely win it.''